March 14, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) — A committee of jurists created by the Brazilian Senate has proposed a new national criminal code that would eliminate criminal penalties for abortion during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy if a psychologist certifies that the woman “does not have the psychological ability to bear the pregnancy.”

The legislation would also decriminalize the killing of unborn children suffering from deformities, and in cases of involuntary artificial insemination. It reduces criminal penalties for infanticide and for abortions in general, and lowers the age of sexual consent from 14 to 12.

If the bill is approved by the socialist-dominated National Congress, it will reduce criminal penalties for post-birth infanticide from 2 to 6 years to 1 to 4, and for penalized abortions from 1 to 3 years to 6 months to 2 years.

Brazilian law currently suspends penalties for abortion only in cases of rape, or danger to the life of the mother. The people of Brazil are among the most pro-life in the world, with around 70% rejecting its depenalization in recent polls, and about 80% rejecting the elimination of abortion as a crime.

Deputy Marcos Feliciano, a pastor and member of the National Congress’ powerful Evangelical Caucus, immediately expressed his rejection of the proposal.

Feliciano tweeted that “we will struggle, we will obstruct, we will protest, and we will do what is necessary and possible” to prevent the bill’s passage.

“They use the flag of the rights of women to legitimize abortion. What about the right of the unborn child, who can’t defend himself? How is he at fault?” Feliciano was also quoted as saying.

“We are faced with a culture that seeks to legalize abortion at any cost,” said Doris Hipolito of the National Association of Women for Life.

“It’s easy to find (medical) professionals who recommend abortion using any justification,” said Hipolito, adding that “psychological evaluations are even more subjective.”

“We attend tens of pregnant women in vulnerable situations. I speak from experience: abortion never solves the problem; it only makes the drama even worse. I have seen young people who, upon receiving the necessary help, reconstruct their lives when they become mothers.”